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WINNIPEG – D’Arcy’s ARC has improved play space for its dogs after the shelter’s outdoor area got a makeover from Paws for the Planet.

The Purina charitable project helped improve the Winnipeg dog shelter’s outdoor space on the weekend. It was the last of seven shelters across Canada that were chosen for upgrades.

“Just to have a space for the dogs to play in is very important,” said D’Arcy Johnston of D’Arcy’s ARC. “They’ll be able to come out and burn off some energy.”

The improvements include a canopy to protect the dogs from sun and rain, plantings to reduce wind and a play platform.

The upgrade is particularly important for D’Arcy’s ARC because it is a for-life shelter, which means dogs are kept until they’re adopted, so they can be housed at the facility for a long time, Johnston said.

Volunteers who help Johnston care for the dogs and who play with them in the outdoors area also helped with the improvement project, he added.

Kathy Wallmuth of Purina was impressed by the effort.

“It was amazing, the spirit of the volunteers on the weekend,” she said.